| Abstrakt: |
Worldwide, head injury data are difficult to compare because of the inconsistencies and complexities of diagnostic coding, inclusion criteria and regional facilities. However, there is an increasing incidence of head injury in Nigeria, often associated with equally increasing cases of road traffic accidents (RTA). This study was undertaken to evaluate the causes, management and outcome of head injury in ABUTH Zaria, Northern Nigeria. The records of all patients admitted with head injury in Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH), Zaria, from 2000 to 2005 were used. Three hundred and ten (310) cases of those admitted during the six years fulfilled the criteria for the inclusion in the study. The findings showed a steady increase in the incidence of head injury from 4 cases in 2000 to 89 in 2005. Road traffic accidents (RTA) accounted for 72% of the cases (mainly from motor vehicles, and motor cycle accidents), followed distantly by falls from heights (13.2%), and those from tree branches (10%). Domestic/office accidents and gunshot head injuries from armed robbers constituted 9.3% and 4.0% respectively. There were seasonal occurrence variation and most of the patients were males and age between 21 and 30 years. The main investigations carried out included skull X-rays in 250 cases (80.6%) and computed tomography (CT scan) in 150 cases (48.4%). The treatment used included resuscitative measures, antibiotics and tetanus prophylaxis, among others. The outcome of treatment showed a progressive survival rate from 50% in 2000 to 78% in 2005, and this was related to the Glasgow Coma Scale Score (GCS) on admission. The study showed that there has been an increase in the incidence of head injuries, mostly caused by road traffic accidents (RTAs). Expert management of head injury was associated with improved outcome. It is recommended that educating the public on the preventive measures, and enforcing rules on such preventive measured will reduce incidence of head injury. Furthermore, specialized training in head injury for health care providers with provision of modern equipments in our hospitals will significantly improved the outcome of head injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
